The world is changing, and it is changing very fast. With the world changing, many people are going to change, too because if you don't know what you stand for, it is so easy to start believing everything the world is saying is true and right.
My church's weekly bible study is going through Colossians, which I think could not be more timely. The book of Colossians is a letter from Paul (formerly Saul) to the church is Colossae, who is undergoing many struggles, in the same way that the church is now. The church in Colossae is dealing with false teachings, and honestly, we are, too.
Is that group that protests peacefully right? Do we accept what the government says is right? Is Westboro Baptist Church right?
As laws change and new philosophies emerge, we, as Christians, have to know where what is right. We have to know what we stand for. We are going to hear all kinds of perspectives, but we need to know what the one thing that we know is true says. The church can't take Christians who are luke-warm with their beliefs anymore.
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8
People are going to try to change what you believe. Maybe not straight up, but they're going to question why you believe something, and if you can't defend it, you're that much more of an easy target.
We have to know what we believe and why we believe it, now more than ever. In all honesty, we're in a post-Christian country now. Persecution to the church and to Christians has already begun socially. How long until it begins physically?
Culture in the US is a very powerful thing. It controls almost every aspect of lives from our eating to music to clothes. Though we're no longer of the world with Christ, we are still in it, and this culture can definitely effect us. But how long are you going to let your culture define your faith? When are you going to let your faith begin to define your culture?
It is hard to stick out in this culture. It's not easy, but just like a new suit, it gets easier. So many times in Colossians (especially chapter 3), Paul refers to life in Christ like putting on new clothes. It's uncomfortable at first, but it really does get better.
Our culture is forever changing. There is always a new trend coming around the corner, so why do we let something so temporary decide something that is eternal? God is the same today that He was yesterday and will be tomorrow.
It's time to figure out what you believe, and stand your ground for it.
Are you going to let culture define your faith, or are you going to define culture with your faith?
"Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?"
Colossians 2:20
Lauren
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